iPad as a Tech Support Tool

The Apple iPad is light, user-friendly, and offers a ton of useful applications. The popularity of the iPad with technical people iPad makes it a potential tech support tool especially when you are on the road. The iPad has built-in wireless and can provide internet access from anywhere.
However, this is not the first thing I would reach for if I were troubleshooting a server problem. The executives think the iPad is the best thing since solid state hard drives but I not sure if it’s the best tool for the job. If you just need a terminal session then it should do the job. If you are determined to use the iPad, you could remotely control a remote computer where you had all the tools you needed to do tech support then you might be able to justify using the iPad. The limiting factor for the iPad platform is you can only install applications from the app store and it does not have the computing power to handle some tasks. LogMeIn has an iPad application for remotely controlling a PC from the internet or you can use remote desktop if you are on a local network. This might be the deciding factor if your company has a strict software policy and does not allow the use if Log me in. Even if your remote to another computer, the problem with Windows-based applications is the iPad do not translate right-clicks and drags well and make it difficult to use. So the verdict, you can use the iPad for a quick check on a server or PC, but an affordable netbook provides the portability and flexibility for a useful support tool.